Seventeen year old Phiona Twizere Cyuzuzo is not only employed, but she also signs more than ten paychecks every month.
While at that age most teenagers are preoccupied with school and social activities, this ambitious youngster defied the norm when she ventured into the entrepreneurial domain, founding Esaias Collection-an online christian clothing brand.
Officially launched on 7th, July, 2023, the clothing line came to life as a result of passion and creativity combined. For Phiona, the word style meant business idea, social media pastime-potential market, and church sermons-an innovative way of spreading the gospel whilst making a living, hence her first three marches: Redeemed, Blessed and Faith.
Starting off, the ‘teenage boss’ recounts her entrepreneurial journey as filled with anxiety and emotional invalidation, however, she chose to defy the odds and respond to her calling in a positive way.
“Being a young person and not having that much of a following bothered me, because I didn’t know how people would perceive my idea,” she said, before echoing out the disappointment that almost ruined her dream.
“The people I thought would support me, most of them didn’t. At first it hurt, until I drew courage from it, taking it as a lesson-not everyone will see things from your perspective and that’s okay,” she explained.
A report issued in 2022 by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) indicated a decline in the unemployment rate in Rwanda by 16.5 percent as compared to 23.8 percent recorded in November 2021.
However, unemployment remained relatively higher among females and youth, with 18.2 and 21.5 percent respectively-the youth defined as anyone aged 16 to 30 years.
Esaias Collection (EC) was birthed with only 100,000frw, money Phiona saved from taking different internships and pocket money from her big brothers.
Barely a year since its inception, the brand’s collection has successfully stretched from three merches to five, producing shirts, note books, socks, bible tags, among other things.
Moreover, the merchandise has been delivered within Rwanda and beyond, to countries like Poland, Germany and Dubai.
The young CEO attributes her success to patience, passion and willingness to learn everyday.
For instance, although she had the vision and was creative, Phiona admits knowing nothing about fashion when she started, hence, taking up a one month course upskilling in Pixlr, Designbold and Canva applications.
“Despite being creative, I had zero knowledge in designing which was a challenge, because most of the time the designs never came out the way I envisioned. To quell this, I resorted to studying designing”, she notes.
Currently in her 12th grade of high school at White Dove Global Prep, Phiona does most of her learning online, which enables her to create her social media content and make client deliveries.
While not attending to clients, the last born of four indulges in reading, watching vlogs or cooking.
She is a big fan of basketball though only as a spectator. In addition, she adores public speaking and hanging out with people that bring out the best in her.
Upon completion of high school, Phiona’s wish is to enrol for a designing course, stretch the brand to greater heights besides opening physical stores.
To the young people, Phiona emphasizes that: “don’t limit yourself nor be afraid to start even if it requires being different. Always be disciplined and kind, because you never know what impact your acts have on someone. Above all pray and show gratitude because today is different from yesterday and so will tomorrow be.”
